Heat detecting device and cooking apparatus using the same

Abstract

A heat detecting device and a cooking apparatus using the same, in which the operation of a heating unit is appropriately controlled according to the presence or absence and/or type of cooking container (e.g., pan or pot) on the cooking apparatus. When there is no cooking container on the cooking apparatus, the duty cycle of the heat source is reduced, thereby preventing unnecessary operation of the heat source. Accordingly, power consumption is reduced. On the other hand, when there is a cooking container on the cooking appliance, the duty cycle of the heat source is increased, thereby making faster more efficient cooking possible.

1 . A heat detecting device for a cooking appliance, the device comprising:
 a detecting unit having a temperature sensor capable of responding to changes in heat generated from by a heat source, the temperature sensor arranged such that heat generated from the heat source is directly transferred to the temperature sensor; and   a supporting unit configured for supporting the detecting unit.   
     
     
         2 . The heat detecting device according to  claim 1 , wherein the detecting unit further includes a substrate, and wherein the temperature sensor is disposed under the substrate and facing the heat source. 
     
     
         3 . The heat detecting device according to  claim 1 , wherein the temperature sensor is printed on the detecting unit, and wherein the temperature detecting device further comprises:
 a terminal; and   a conductor electrically connecting the temperature sensor and the terminal, the conductor configured to transfer information relating to the heat generated by the heat source from the temperature sensor to the terminal.   
     
     
         4 . The heat detecting device according to  claim 3 , wherein the detecting unit further comprises:
 a protection member arranged such that it protects the conductor from the heat generated by the heat source.   
     
     
         5 . The heat detecting device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a heat transferring member in contact with the detecting unit to transfer heat to the temperature sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The heat detecting device according to  claim 5 , wherein a first side of the detecting unit faces the heat source, and wherein the transferring member is connected to a second side of the detecting unit opposite the first side. 
     
     
         7 . The heat detecting device according to  claim 6  wherein the transferring member and the detecting unit are configured such that heat is indirectly transferred to the temperature sensor through the transferring member. 
     
     
         8 . A cooking apparatus comprising:
 a heat source;   a plate above the heat source, the plate configured to receive a cooking container; and   a heat detecting unit having a temperature sensor capable of responding to changes in heat generated by the heat source, the temperature sensor arranged such that the heat generated from the heat source is directly transferred from the heat source to the temperature sensor.   
     
     
         9 . The cooking apparatus according to  claim 8  further comprising a transferring member in contact with the heat detecting unit, the transferring member configured to transfer heat to the temperature sensor of the heat detecting unit. 
     
     
         10 . The cooking apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the transferring member is in contact with the plate, and wherein the transferring member and the heat detecting unit are configured such that heat is indirectly transferred from the plate to the temperature sensor through the transferring member. 
     
     
         11 . The heating cooking apparatus according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a control unit for the heat source, wherein information relating to heat is transmitted from the temperature sensor to the control unit.   
     
     
         12 . The cooking apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the control unit comprises:
 a processor, wherein the processor is configured to determine temperature based on the information relating to heat transmitted from the temperature sensor to the control unit.   
     
     
         13 . The cooking apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the information is based on the heat directly transferred to the temperature sensor from the heat source and based on the heat indirectly transferred to the temperature sensor from the plate through the transferring unit. 
     
     
         14 . A method of controlling a cooking appliance that includes a heat source, a cooking surface and a control unit, said method comprising:
 detecting a first amount of heat, wherein the first amount of heat is generated by the heat source;   detecting a second amount of heat, wherein the second amount of heat is generated by the cooking surface; and   controlling the heat source based on the detected first and second amounts of heat.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising:
 determining a temperature based on the detected first and second amounts of heat.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein controlling the heat source based on the detected first and second amounts of heat comprises:
 controlling the heat source based on the temperature.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein controlling the heat source based on the temperature comprises:
 turning off the heat source when the temperature reaches a first predetermined temperature; and   turning on the heat source when the temperature reaches a second predetermined temperature, wherein the first predetermined temperature is greater than the second predetermined temperature.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the cooking appliance also includes a temperature sensor, and wherein detecting the first amount of heat involves a direct transfer of heat from the heat source to the temperature sensor. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the cooking appliance also includes a temperature sensor and a cooking surface, and wherein detecting a second amount of heat involves an indirect transfer of heat from the cooking surface to the temperature sensor. 
     
     
         20 . A cooking apparatus that includes a heat source, a cooking surface and a control unit, said apparatus comprising:
 means for detecting a first amount of heat, wherein the first amount of heat is generated by the heat source;   means for detecting a second amount of heat, wherein the second amount of heat is generated by the cooking surface; and   means for controlling the heat source based on the detected first and second amounts of heat.   
     
     
         21 . The cooking apparatus of  claim 20  further comprising:
 means for determining a temperature based on the detected first and second amounts of heat.   
     
     
         22 . The cooking apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein said means for controlling the heat source based on the detected first and second amounts of heat comprises:
 means for controlling the heat source based on the temperature.   
     
     
         23 . The cooking apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein said means for controlling the heat source based on the temperature comprises:
 means for turning off the heat source when the temperature reaches a first predetermined temperature; and   means for turning on the heat source when the temperature reaches a second predetermined temperature, wherein the first predetermined temperature is greater than the second predetermined temperature.